He starred in Southcliffe, a drama about the aftermath of a series of shootings in a small town, which is in the running for the mini-series prize and also receives a nod in the supporting actress category for Shirley Henderson.

Casualty, Coronation Street, EastEnders and Holby City will battle it out for best soap, while Ant And Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Derren Brown: The Great Art Robbery, Dynamo Magician Impossible and Strictly Come Dancing are nominated for best entertainment programme.

Other popular shows including Dragons' Den, Breaking Bad, Educating Yorkshire and The Great British Bake Off are also nominated in the awards' 24 categories.

Multi-Bafta winning actress Julie Walters, whose career has spanned nearly four decades, will receive the night's top accolade when she is awarded the Academy Fellowship.

Cilla Black will also be honoured for her contribution to entertainment during her 50 years in the business.

Other nominees include Sky 1's A League Of Their Own, which is up for best comedy, alongside The Graham Norton Show, Would I Lie To You? and The Revolution Will Be Televised.

Norton will host the ceremony, which takes place at the Theatre Royal in London's West End.